Wednesday, October 28, 2015

COVER REVEAL: THE WITCHING HOUR COLLECTION

Hey All!!!
We have an awesome cover reveal for The Witching Hour Collection. If you're a fan of all things supernatural - which I definitely am - then this should be right up your alley.



Happy reading and writing!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

COME SEE ME AT ARMADILLOCON 2015!!!

Hey All,
I'll be at ArmadilloCon 2015 in Austin, Texas this weekend! The conference will be held at the Omni Southpark Hotel, and here's where you can find me:

Saturday the 25th at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Ballroom E
HUNGER GAMES VS. DIVERGENT
Young adult novels, successful film franchises: What do these series tell us about markets, readers, and viewers? How do they compare?

Saturday the 25th at 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Southpark A
WRITING A STRONG TEEN PROTAGONIST
What works and what doesn't when striving to create a memorable and believable teen character?

Saturday the 25th at 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Conference Center
READING


Sunday the 26th at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Ballroom D
WRITING FICTION FROM A GENDER, ETHNIC, CULTURAL OR TEMPORAL VIEWPOINT OTHER THAN YOUR OWN
What are the challenges of writing a character unlike yourself in a significant way? Are there benefits to creativity?

Sunday the 26th at 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Dealer's Room
AUTOGRAPHING

Anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely cannot wait for the Hunger Games vs. Divergent discussion!!! Make sure to check out my good friend, the absolutely talented Barbara Wright as well!

I hope to see you all there!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: SECRET OF THE SEVENS BY LYNN LINDQUIST

Hey All!!!
So we have a review for a very nice story from Lynn Lindquist called Secret of the Sevens. My review is below:

 


In Secret of the Sevens you have a lot of the elements that make up a great story. There's a boarding school, a mystery, and teen angst. The only thing I needed for this to be better is for some supernatural elements to be added! 

Talan Michaels has grown up most of his life in a harsh way. His mom was more focused on getting her next fix than on making sure her kid was fed, and he had to deal with so many hardships. That all stopped when he came to Singer, a boarding school for underprivileged kids - many of them foster kids with no homes. Worried that he may be homeless after graduation, he accepts an invitation to join a super secret society with promises of riches and freedom in his future. Little does he know, this invitation is about so much more, and will change his life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was sympathetic to the characters and the situation they found themselves in, and watching the teens solve the mystery was pretty interesting and fun. I liked Talan, though he did frustrate me from time to time. And watching him slowly realize his feelings for foster sister Laney felt natural and sweet.

My biggest issue is that I saw a lot of the surprises coming...for example when we discovered who was sending the clues to the Seven's rituals. And at times I found myself skimming. Especially towards the end when I got a bit tired of the clues and games, and was ready to get on to the reveal. All in all, it was a good story, with fun characters, and nice drama.

3 stars!





Monday, May 18, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: THROUGH FIRE & SEA BY NICOLE LUIKEN

Hello All!!!
So I have been sick. Like, sicker than sick. The kind of sick that makes you completely gross to be around and incapable of doing the wonderful things you need to do...like putting up your book reviews!

Today I have my review for Through Fire & Sea by Nicole Luiken!


Through Fire & Sea was very much a fun read. Alternating between the perspectives of Leah and Holly - the same girl, but living on alternate universes - the story takes you between how both girls find their soul-mates (Gideon and Ryan). In Leah's world she's the bastard daughter of a ruling duke, who forces her to take the place of his real daughter with a duchess who just happens to be able to get rid of the country's dragon...for a price. When she meets Gideon sparks fly. For Holly, it's a normal day hanging out with her dad on his boat when she falls in and almost drowns. But when she meets her mysterious rescuer at school the following week she feels inexplicably drawn to him.

Overall, I enjoyed the tale, but had trouble with the back and forth perspectives of the girls. Because they lived in such drastically different worlds, alternating between the two became jarring. I felt like at times I was more happy with Leah's story than Holly's, and vice versa, which made it difficult to truly care about either one of them.

I enjoyed the magic piece of the story, but the solutions to some of the problems faced felt a bit convenient for me. I'd have liked to know how Ryan's mom got busy with the sea god, because we didn't get any info on that, but were given tons of detail on how Gideon's mom got herself knocked up. 

All in all, it was a fun read, with decent characters and a plot that was a bit all over the place. I'd give it 3 stars!

Thursday, May 7, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: DRAGONS ARE PEOPLE, TOO BY SARAH NICOLAS

Hey All!!!
Today I'm reviewing a fantastic book by Sarah Nicolas, Dragons Are People, Too!

In DAPT we meet Katherine "Kitty" Lung, who is a super spy operative within a super secret government agency housed in DC. It's Kitty's job to take on various missions through the world for the U.S. She's also responsible for keeping the President's son safe while at school. If you're wondering why some teenage girl is racked with so much responsibility, and how she can be expected to handle it all...it just so happens that Kitty is not only trained to be a lethal fighting machine, she also is part dragon! At her own will, Kitty can change into a full on, non-fire-breathing (only English dragons breath fire) dragon!

But when the dragons cover is blown and the President's son is kidnapped, it's up to Kitty to save both her best friend and her people.

This book was action packed and full of mind-blowing fun. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kitty and all of the people/dragons surrounding her. Kitty's progression from a well trained fighter battling with her emotions, to a girl who can be true to herself was nice to watch. I also enjoyed seeing her figure out how to navigate the difficult waters of freeing the President's son, while trying to barter for her parents (and friends) freedom. 

The characters throughout the book were spot on. Both her parents were fierce and seasoned warriors who had different battle scars. It was nice to see how each one had a different influence on who Kitty was and how she would grow throughout the story. And the plot twist that conveniently got them out of the way so that she could grow as the hero was well done. I also liked how the romance between herself and her partner in crime, Sani, developed. It felt natural and not at all rushed. You'll find no insta-love here!

Overall, this was a great story, with great characters that really drew me in.

4 Stars!!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

PROMO POST: SCHOOL OF DEATHS BY CHRISTOPHER MANNINO

Hey All!!!
Today we have a promo post for School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino! All book deets are below:



School of Deaths
Release Date: 05/02/14
270 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Thrust into a world of men, can a timid girl find bravery as the first female Death?

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail.

Scythes hungry for souls, Deaths who subjugate a race of mysterious magicians, and echoes of an ancient war with Dragons.

As her year progresses, Suzie suspects her presence isn't an accident. She uncovers a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths. Now she must also discover the reason she's been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.


Buy Links:



About the Author
Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet.  He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland.  In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance/production drama groups.  He spends his summers writing and singing.  Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University.  His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life.  

Mannino is currently working on a sequel to “School of Deaths” as well as an adult science fiction novel.

Author Links:

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Monday, April 27, 2015

BOOK BLITZ: COMPULSION BY MARTINA BOONE

Hey All!!!
Coming to the stage today is a book blitz for Compulsion (The Heirs of Watson Island #1) by Martina Boone. All book deets are below:


Release Date: 10/28/14
Narrated by: Joell A. Jacob
Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins 
Simon Pulse/Tantor Audio
448 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.

Buy Links:

Listen to an audiobook sample:

Praise for Compulsion:
"Skillfully blends rich magic and folklore with adventure, sweeping romance, and hidden treasure . . . An impressive start to the Heirs of Watson Island series." —Publishers Weekly
     
"Eight Beaufort is so swoon-worthy that it's ridiculous. Move over Four, Eight is here to stay!"  —RT Book Reviews, RT Editors Best Books of 2014

"Darkly romantic and steeped in Southern Gothic charm, you'll be compelled to get lost in the Heirs of Watson Island series." —JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A fresh twist on the Southern Gothic -- haunting, atmospheric, and absorbing." —CLAUDIA GRAY, New York Timesbestselling author of A Thousand Pieces of You and the Evernight and Spellcaster series 
    
"A stunningly magical debut with a delicious slow burn to be savored. I want to live in this story world!" —WENDY HIGGINS, USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy


"Beautifully written, with vivid characters, a generations-old feud, and romance that leaps off the page, this Southern ghost story left me lingering over every word, and yet wanting to race to the compelling finish. Compulsion is not to be missed." —MEGAN SHEPHERD, author of The Madman's Daughter

Book Two:
PERSUASION (HEIRS OF WATSON ISLAND, BOOK 2) 
Beautiful Creatures meets Gone With the Wind
As reporters chasing rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold descend on Watson Island, Barrie Watson discovers more is buried at Colesworth Place than treasure. A mysterious, magical man claims the key to the Watson and Beaufort gifts and the Colesworth curse also lies beneath the mansion, and Barrie has no option but to help him find it. While she and Eight Beaufort struggle to make sense of the escalating danger and their growing feelings for each other, Barrie must decide not only whom to trust, but which gift is more reliable—Eights or her own. With the fate of the founding families at stake, she has to choose between what she feels deep in her heart and what will keep her loved ones safe.

Pre-Order Links:
IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon |  Book Depository | Goodreads

About the Author
Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. She fell in love with words and never stopped delighting in them.

She’s the founder of AdventuresInYAPublishing.com, a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers site, and YASeriesInsiders.com, a site devoted to encouraging literacy and all this YA Series.
From her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, children, and Auggie the wonder dog, she enjoys writing contemporary fantasy set in the kinds of magical places she’d love to visit. When she isn’t writing, she’s addicted to travel, horses, skiing, chocolate flavored tea, and anything with Nutella on it.

Author Links:

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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

COVER REVEAL: PIXELATED BY L.S. MURPHY

Hello All!!!
Coming to the stage we have Pixelated by L.S. Murphy. All book deets are below:


Pixelated
Release Date: 06/30/15
Bloomsbury Spark

Summary from Goodreads:
Senior Year. 


Middle of nowhere. 

What's the new girl to do?



For Piper Marks, the answer is simple. She’s determined to have her photography rock the cover of National Geographic someday, and moving to Clarkton, Iowa for her last year of high school is not going to stop her. Even if her usual subjects have changed from bright lights and skyscrapers to fields, cows…and more fields. 

But when photographer at the local paper quits in a huff, she steps into his spot. Her new job keeps Piper busy capturing tackles, and zooming in on first downs and end zone dances, not to mention putting her directly in the path of varsity football star Les Williams IV. Her new friends warn her off, but she can’t resist the pull she feels toward this mysterious country boy. But this small town is keeping a secret, and it’s one that could destroy any chance they have to be together. 

It’s up to Piper to decide what to do with the distorted truth. Can she risk exposing her heart? It might be worth it, 'cause Les is about to change her world from black and white to fully saturated color. 

Praise for Pixelated:
"In Pixelated, L.S. Murphy weaves a complex web of secrets and lies with a ‘will they or won’t they’ romance that kept me turning pages and holding my breath!" ~ Julie Reece, author of The Artisans and Crux

"Beautifully written, with a full spectrum of emotion and complex characters, Pixelated will tug at all your heartstrings. I easily lost myself in the world L.S. Murphy created and couldn't stop reading because I needed to see how the story ended." ~ Kelly Oram, author of Cinder & Ella

"L.S. Murphy brings something for every reader with Pixelated: romance, secrets, mystery, and a main character torn between two choices. Murphy's writing is sharp and steeped in emotions, deftly hooking her readers from the first sentence to the last." ~ Sarah Bromley, author of A Murder Of Magpies 


About the Author
L.S. Murphy obsesses about St. Louis Cardinals baseball, fangirls over her favorite authors, and watches every episode of Doctor Who like it's the first time. When she's not doing those time-consuming things, the former farm-girl turned city slicker turned suburbanite writes sweet romances for teens and adults.

Author Links:

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Thursday, April 16, 2015

BOOK BLITZ: FINDING THOR BY KAI STRAND

Hey All!!!
Coming to the stage we have a new addition by Kai Strand, Finding Thor. Book deets are below:

Finding Thor
by Kai Strand 
Release Date: 03/12/15
272 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock.

Nik stirs up feelings in degrees she has never experienced, and causes her to do things that most assuredly give him the wrong impression – like kiss him before their first date. Somehow, he breaks down the walls around her emotions until she has no choice but to forgive herself and feel again.

But a mysterious, troubled past follows Nik, and Cara may prove to be his weakest link.

When a royal princess shows up looking for Nik, and an international gang arrives looking for missing jewels, Cara lands in mortal danger. Will she be able to save herself? What will happen to her newly repaired psyche if she loses Nik?

Romance, mystery, and high stakes – just another day in high school. 



Buy Links:

About the Author
Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. Her debut novel, The Weaver, was an EPIC eBook Finalist. King of Bad soared to the publisher's #1 spot its second month. She is a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four kids. The most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, "Do your dishes!" Kai and her family hike, geocache and canoe in Central Oregon, where they call home.

Kai organized the free, themed, multi-author, short story blog, Lightning Quick Reads. She is available for personal appearances, workshops, and classroom or school visits. Feel free to contact her directly to discuss availability and request references.

Author Links:
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GIVEAWAY:

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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

PROMO POST: SOUTHERN FRIED WICCAN BY S.P. SIPAL

Hello All!!!
Today I have a promo post for Southern Fried Wiccan, a novel by S.P. Sipal. My review of this book will come in a few weeks once work slows down. Book deets are below:


Southern Fried Wiccan
by S.P. Sipal 
Release Date: March 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
Cilla Swaney is thrilled to return stateside, where she can hang up her military-brat boots for good. Finally, she’ll be free to explore her own interests—magick and Wicca. But when she arrives at her grandma’s farm, Cilla discovers that life in the South isn’t quite what she expected. At least while country hopping, she never had to drink G-ma’s crazy fermented concoctions, attend church youth group, make co-op deliveries...or share her locker with a snake-loving, fire-lighting, grimoire-stealing Goth girl…

…Who later invites her to a coven that Cilla’s not sure she has the guts to attend. But then Emilio, the dark-haired hottie from her charter school, shows up and awakens her inner goddess. Finally, Cilla starts believing in her ability to conjure magick. Until…

…All Hades breaks loose. A prank goes wrong during their high school production of Macbeth, and although it seems Emilio is to blame, Cilla and Goth pay the price. Will Cilla be able to keep the boy, her coven, and the trust of her family? Or will this Southern Wiccan get battered and fried?




About the Author
Born and raised in North Carolina, Susan Sipal had to travel halfway across the world and return home to embrace her father and grandfather's penchant for telling a tall tale. After having lived with her husband in his homeland of Turkey for many years, she suddenly saw the world with new eyes and had to write about it.

Perhaps it was the emptiness of the Library of Celsus at Ephesus that cried out to be refilled, or the myths surrounding the ancient Temple of Artemis, but she's been writing stories filled with myth and mystery ever since. She can't wait to share Southern Fried Wiccan with readers in March 2015.

Author Links:



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Monday, April 6, 2015

BOOK BLITZ: DARK SIREN BY EDEN ASHLEY

Hello All!!!
Coming to the stage today, we have Dark Siren, book one in the Dark Siren series by Eden Ashley. See all of the book deets below:

Dark Siren (Dark Siren #1)
Release Date: 07/03/13
Paranormal
452 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
To survive, their bond must be unbreakable.

When the mysterious and passionate Rhane rescues Kali from an attacker in the theater parking lot, they form an immediate, smoldering connection. But Kali doesn't remember Rhane or anything from their past. As far as Kali knows, she's just a seventeen-year-old kid coping with an insatiable hunger for the “spark” or energy of others, feeding on classmates to survive.

A unique artifact—one that may hold the key to returning Kali’s memories—is uncovered by the archaeology firm where she works part-time, sending Kali and Rhane on a dangerous journey that leads them to the Forbidden City, into the unforgiving Gobi, and into the ruins of Rhane’s ancient homeland. As they fight for survival, Kali begins to discover who she really is and the true power she possesses.

But Rhane still harbors a secret that could destroy Kali…unless old enemies kill her first.




Buy Links (CURRENTLY FREE):
Amazon / B&N


About the Author

Cynic, realist, and hopeless romantic all rolled into one, Eden was born and raised in a small, sunny town in South Carolina, but finds thunderstorms to be inspiring. There are few things she loves more (except maybe cake) than curling up with a good book on a rainy day, often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs her. Dark Sirenis the first book in a four part series that begins an epic adventure of redemption and second chances between two lovers. Banewolf and Blood Chained, available on Amazon, continue Rhane and Kali's exciting journey into the unknown. Look for Primed Son, the conclusion of their story in 2015.

Author Links
Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads Page / Blog

GIVEAWAY:

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

COVER REVEAL: SECRETS OF THE SEVENS BY LYNN LINDQUIST

Hey All!!!
Coming to the stage we have a new cover reveal from author Lynn Lindquist! All book deets are below:

Secret of the Sevens
Release Date: 06/2015
Flux Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:
Everyone at Singer, a boarding school for underprivileged kids, knows the urban legend of the Society of Seven. Decades ago, the original members of the secret guild for elite students murdered the school's founder and then perished in the fire they lit to hide the evidence. Or so the story goes.

Talan Michaels doesn't care about Singer's past. He's too focused on his future and the fact that he'll be homeless after he graduates in May. To take his mind off it, he accepts a mysterious invitation to join a group calling itself the Sevens. He expects pranks, parties, and perks. Instead, he finds himself neck-deep in a conspiracy involving secret passages and cryptic riddles about the school's history. Even worse, he's now tangled in web of lies someone will kill to keep hidden.


About the Author
Lynn Lindquist lives in a suburb of Chicago with two overly-social sons and a mutt named Slugger who wisely hides under the bed most days. The hordes of teenagers that regularly frequent her house (think Panama City Beach during spring break) provide fodder for her young adult novels and growing anxiety disorder. Ever since her sons broke the Guinness Record for Largest-Rager-Thrown-While-a-Parent-Was-Out-for-the-Night, she enjoys spending her free time at home entertaining friends, cooking, reading, and writing. Thankfully, her favorite things in life are her sons, words, and kids, so she wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is represented by Katherine Boyle at Veritas Literary Agency.   


Author Links:
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